Students bring live music to private homes

August 31, 2005 - More than four centuries ago in Italy, a group
of artists gathered in the homes of the country's elite to discuss
music and the arts.

They were called the "Camerata," and they aimed to bring culture
and beauty to patrons while eking out a livelihood for
themselves.

Today's camerata are University of Arizona music students, and
they are ready to show up in your living room to enhance anything
from a sit-down dinner to an outdoor birthday party.

They play everything from jazz to classical guitar music.
They'll bring harps, if you like, or even tubas.

"It tends to add a touch of class for those evening events to
have an ensemble at your party," said Kelland Thomas, the
coordinator of the university's Camerata program.

The program began in 1996 because the university noticed that
normal music programs don't teach students how to patch together
various income sources to make a living, Thomas said.

"The traditional music school or conservatory education is about
practicing and honing the craft and gaining artistic skills to make
music, but when you get out of the academy, then what?" he said.
"We're trying to fill the gap in the music education."

The school stepped in with a course to teach students how to put
together a press kit and a demo compact disc and write grants. It
also stepped in to teach them to negotiate contracts.

"One of the things musicians have to do in this day and age is
develop modern 21st century patrons," Thomas said.

Many of the patrons with whom the students practice negotiating
contracts hail from spacious homes just north of Tucson, Thomas
said.

"I know there have been a lot of performances in homes in the
Foothills,' he said. "Among other reasons, there are patrons and
donors of the school of music there who host functions."

The modern-day camerata of Southern Arizona are upperclassmen
and graduate students who have made it through the Camerata
program's careers in music class. By the end of September, Thomas
said about 20 ensembles should be on the roster as performers
looking for venues.

"Not only is the music high quality but they also represent
themselves very well in a professional way," Thomas said.

He added that the student musicians often are able to work with
people who have definite ideas about the music they want, right up
to the specific pieces.

"Some people want light jazz in the background, some want a
harpist or guitarist playing soft classical music as a light
accompaniment to the evening, and some want to make it more the
focus," he said. "There really is a wide range of music
represented."

The financial arrangement is up to the students and their
clients.

"We train the musicians to negotiate on behalf of their
ensembles," Thomas said. "It's important to stress that we don't
ask students to go out and play for free. They are busy students,
and they're learning how to do this as a career."

If the music group composition that a potential patron is
looking for is not available on the Camerata roster, Thomas said he
sometimes can find that group regardless.

Recently, a couple called looking for an Indian drum player for
a wedding reception that was set to take place in two weeks. Thomas
pulled from his resources and filled the request.

"I also utilize the contacts with former students and current
students to work with people," he said. "I always try to work with
everyone as much as possible."

He added, though, that it's best to call to book a group as soon
as you know an event is going to take place.

Camerata offers an unusual service, Thomas said, by giving
people one number to call to be connected with a wide range of
music possibilities and also with someone who will spend time
discussing what kind of group might work best in a particular
space.

"We're impacting the community in a positive way to be able to
conveniently put people in touch with the musical ensembles that
will fulfill their needs," he said.

The Camerata participants do more than just home recitals. They
also take their music into other parts of the community through
school outreach, residencies in schools, and public performances at
larger events.

Wherever they perform, they give people the opportunity to
nurture the arts of young musicians, Thomas said.

"It's a good deal, and you're helping out," he said. "I suppose
another benefit is that the students gain valuable experience.
Often people like to see students who are learning and be around
that excitement. There's a real energy these students bring to the
table, by and large."